Heat radiating member, device using the heat radiating member, casing computer support stand, and radiating member manufacturing method

ABSTRACT

The heat-radiating member  1  shown in FIG.  1  with a tourmaline layer is formed by mixing schorl tourmaline powder having a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μm with a liquid-form fixing agent to form a coating agent, and then applying that coating agent to the surface of a base material, which is made from a metal such as copper, aluminum or the like having excellent heat conductivity, until the density of the schorl tourmaline powder is 0.25 to 0.05 grams per cm 2 , and allowing it to harden. With this construction, it is possible to provide a heat-radiating member, or devices or parts themselves that can be expected to have a better heat-radiation effect than a heat-radiating member whose base material is treated with a black coating.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage of PCT/JP2004/011557 filed Aug. 11,2004 and based upon PCT/JP03/10213 filed Aug. 11, 2003 under theInternational Convention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a heat-radiating member having excellentheat-radiation performance, a device that uses that heat-radiatingmember, a casing, a computer-support stand, and a method formanufacturing the heat-radiating member.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, in devices that generate heat such as heat exchangers,as in an internal-combustion engine or refrigerator, or electronicdevices such as the CPU of a computer, the heat-radiation unit thatmanages that heat radiation, for example, a heat-radiation fin, mufflerof an internal-combustion engine, various kinds of electric motors, heatsinks or the like, have been treated with a black coating to improve theheat-radiation effect.

However, in performing just a black coating, further improvement of theheat-radiation effect can not be expected, so in various devices thatgenerate heat such as mentioned above, the construction of theheat-radiation unit is specially designed (for example, constructionthat promotes heat convection, etc.) in order to improve heat-radiationeffect.

An example of this is simple construction that comprises a circuitcomponent that is equipped with a plurality of busbars of an electricpower circuit, and a heat-radiating member having a busbar-bondingsurface that is coated with an insulation layer; and by arranging theplurality of busbars on this busbar-bonding surface such that eachbusbar is directly bonded to the busbar-bonding surface, the busbars areefficiently cooled (see Japanese patent publication 2003-164040).

Also, as another example, is an electrical-wiring box in which aninsulation board that is supported and located in a space between acurrent-distribution circuit board and printed-circuit board iseliminated, and the heat-radiation performance is improved by theexistence of the space (for example, see Japanese patent publication2003-87938).

Examples of employing features in the construction for improving theheat-radiation effect where given above, however, in order to furtherimprove the beat-radiation effect, it is necessary to reconsider themember itself.

However, it is extremely difficult to improve the physical property ofthermal conductivity by improving the material itself.

Therefore, as described above, a base material such as copper oraluminum having high thermal conductivity is treated with a blackcoating that has a heat-radiating and heat-adsorption effect, however,the object of this invention is to provide a heat-radiating member,device that uses that heat-radiating member, casing, computer-supportstand and method for manufacturing the heat-radiating member that makeit possible to expect more heat-radiation effect than from aheat-radiating member that is treated with a black coating.

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Patent Publication 2003-164040

[Patent Document 2]

Japanese Patent Publication 2003-87938

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the inventor of thisinvention applied various sample materials to a base material and testedthe heat-radiation state, and found that tourmaline had very remarkableeffect (discovered specified attributes), then as a result of dedicatedresearch, found from among various kind of tourmaline existing in naturesuch as dravite tourmaline, schorl tourmaline, mixed tourmaline, lithiatourmaline, etc., a tourmaline that provided an excellent heat-radiationeffect, and further found, even for that tourmaline which had excellentheat-radiation effect, the existence of a grain diameter and a density(amount of coating) per unit area that provided outstandingheat-radiation effect. In this way, the inventors focused on a specifictourmaline and used that tourmaline powder (exclusively used thoseproperties and attributes) to invent a heat-radiating member capable ofsolving the aforementioned problem.

In other words, the heat-radiating member comprises a tourmaline layerthat is formed by mixing schorl tourmaline powder having a graindiameter of 3 to 7 μm with a liquid-form fixing agent to form a coatingagent, then applying that coating agent to the surface of a basematerial, which is made from a metal such as copper, aluminum or thelike having excellent heat conductivity, until the density of the schorltourmaline powder is 0.25 to 0.05 grams per cm², and allowing it toharden.

The heat-radiating member is formed by mixing schorl tourmaline powderhaving a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μm with a base material made fromaluminum.

The heat-radiating member is formed by mixing schorl tourmaline powderhaving a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μm with a base material made fromplastic.

The device such as heat exchanger or various kinds of appliances whereina heat-generating section that generates heat, and/or a heat-radiatingsection that radiates heat is constructed using the heat-radiatingmember.

The device that is constructed using the heat-radiating member and is acooling device, and said heat-radiating member is used in theheat-exchange system of said cooling device.

The case comprising an electric device such as a computer or hard diskdrive and that is constructed using the heat-radiating member.

The computer support stand on which a notebook computer is placed andthat is formed into an L shape as seen from the side and on which theheat-radiating member is placed.

The method for manufacturing a heat-radiating member comprising:

a coating-agent-creation step of creating a coating agent by mixingschorl tourmaline powder having a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μm with afixing agent; and

a coating step of applying the coating agent to the surface of a basematerial, which is made of a metal such as copper, aluminum or the likehaving excellent heat conduction, so that the density of the schorltourmaline powder becomes 0.025 to 0.05 grams per cm².

The method for manufacturing a heat-radiating member wherein moltenaluminum is mixed with schorl tourmaline powder, then molded andhardened into a desired shape.

The method for manufacturing a heat-radiating member wherein liquidplastic is mixed with schorl tourmaline powder, then molded and hardenedinto a desired shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the heat-radiating member of a firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the testing of the heat-radiationeffect.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the case in which the heat-radiating memberis applied to a refrigerator.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the case in which the heat-radiating memberis applied to a desktop computer.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the case in which the heat-radiating memberis applied to a notebook computer.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the case in which the heat-radiating memberis applied to an electric motor.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the support stand for a notebook computer.

FIG. 8 is a top view showing the grain-diameter selection test.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the grain-diameter selection test.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to explain the present invention in more detail, the inventionwill be explained with reference to the supplied drawings.

In the drawings, reference number 1 indicates the heat-radiating member,reference number 11 indicates the base material, and reference number 12indicates the tourmaline layer.

Embodiment 1

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat-radiating member 1 of this embodimentcomprises: a base material 11 made from a thin copper plate (0.8 mmplate thickness) having high heat conductivity; and a tourmaline layer12, having schorl tourmaline powder as the main component, coated on thetop surface of that base material 11.

This tourmaline layer 12 is formed by mixing schorl tourmaline powder,having a grain size of 6 μm, with a fixing agent made from an acrylicvolatile synthetic resin coating material at a weight ratio of 1:1(coating formation step) to form a coating, and then coating the basematerial 11 with multiple coats of that coating material until thedensity of the tourmaline powder becomes 0.025 to 0.05 grams per cm²(coating step), and finally letting the coating harden.

Typical tourmaline such as dravite tourmaline, schorl tourmaline, mixedtourmaline, or lithia tourmaline were used to perform preliminaryheating tests, and a blackened schorl tourmaline having the bestheat-radiation effect was employed.

More specifically, it is well known that tourmaline gives off ions, orgenerates electricity, however, based on the law of conservation ofenergy, in order for tourmaline to give off ions or generateelectricity, it is necessary for there to be some kind of input energy,and guessing from the effect of this invention, it is thought that heatenergy changes to ions or electricity.

Therefore, it is estimated that schorl tourmaline having high voltagebetween electrodes will have the best heat-radiation effect.

The reason that the weight ratio of fixing agent to schorl tourmalinepowder is made to be 1:1 is that it has been confirmed through testingthat when the fixing agent dries and hardens there is a good balance inorder to maintain the dense state of the schorl tourmaline powder; andwhen the amount of fixing agent is less than the amount of schorltourmaline powder it becomes easy for the tourmaline to peal from thebase material, and when the amount of fixing agent is greater than theamount of schorl tourmaline powder, multiple coats are required in orderto obtain the desired schorl tourmaline density, so workability becomespoor. Moreover, when 20 g of liquid-state acrylic volatile syntheticresin coating material dries it becomes 4 g.

Furthermore, a grain-diameter-selection test, coating-amount-selectiontest, and fixing-agent-selection test are further performed on theaforementioned schorl tourmaline, which had the best heat-radiationeffect, and the tourmaline layer 12 is constructed based on theespecially good data obtained from those test results. Each of theselection tests will be explained in more detail later.

Also, the liquid in which this schorl tourmaline powder is mixed is notlimited to the acrylic volatile synthetic resin coating materialmentioned above, and it is also possible to use a well knownheat-resistant coating material such as a water-based emulsion typecoating material, or a two-component epoxy coating material, or in otherwords, any liquid material could be used as long as it will harden andnot easily peal from the base material 11 (maintained in a coated stateover a long period of time).

Also, schorl tourmaline powder having a grain size of 3 to 7 μm can bemixed with the molten aluminum or plastic base material and allowed toharden in a desired shape.

Tourmaline (not limited to schorl tourmaline) is broken down by applyingheat of 900° C. or more, so aluminum, which has excellent heatconductivity, and a melting point of 660° C. is the most suitablematerial to use in the case where the base material itself containsschorl tourmaline powder as described above.

Moreover, in the case where schorl tourmaline powder is contained in aplastic base material itself, the pellets and schorl tourmaline powderare mixed at a weight ratio of 10%, and it is possible to manufacture aheat-radiating member having a desired shape using conventional moldingmeans such as typical injection molding.

Next, heat-radiation testing using the heat-radiating member 1 of theembodiment constructed as described above will be explained.

During testing, as objects of comparison, a 0.8 mm thick copper platebase material 11, of which only the top surface was coated black(hereafter referred to as comparison sample A), and that base material11 as is (hereafter referred to as comparison sample B) were used, andthe state of heat radiation was compared with that of the heat-radiatingmember of this embodiment.

In the outline of the testing as shown in FIG. 2, temperature sensors Cwere attached to part of the surfaces of the tourmaline layer 12 and theside opposite from the black coated surface (for just comparison sampleB there is no direction of the application surface of the temperaturesensor), and the heat-radiating member 1 and either comparison sample Aor comparison sample B are selected, and the two are simultaneouslyplaced on the top of a home-use heating appliance (hot plate) D. Whendoing this, the tourmaline layer 12 and the black coating are placed sothat they are on the top, and the heat-radiating member 1 and comparisonsample A or comparison sample B are place on the home-use heatingappliance D so that the temperature sensors C are away from the heatingappliance so that they are not affected by the heat of the home-useheating appliance D itself.

Also, by supplying electric power to the home-use heating appliance D,the temperature of the members placed on the top of the home-use heatingappliance D rises to a suitable temperature, and by measuring the risein temperature at that time away from the home-use heating appliance D,it is possible to know the state of heat radiating from the top surface.In other words, since the material of the base material 11 itself, theplacement conditions, and heating conditions are the same, it ispossible to gain an understanding of the heat-radiation effect of eachmember in the case in which there is a black-coated layer formed on thesurface of the base material 11, when there is a tourmaline layer 12 andwhen there is no formation layer.

Under these conditions, first the heat radiation test results forheat-radiating member 1, comparison sample A and comparison sample B areexplained.

First, when measuring the temperature of heat-radiating member 1 andcomparison sample B under the same conditions, the temperature ofheat-radiating member 1 was 43.5° C., while the temperature ofcomparison sample B was 51.7° C. That temperature difference was 8.2°C., so it was found that the heat-radiating member 1 had betterheat-radiation effect.

Next, when measuring the temperature of heat-radiating member 1 andcomparison sample A under the same conditions, the temperature ofheat-radiating member 1 was 54.5° C., while the temperature ofcomparison sample A was 57.8° C. The temperature difference was 3.3° C.,so it was found that the heat-radiating member 1 had betterheat-radiation effect.

From the above, it was found that the heat-radiating member 1 of thisembodiment had better heat-radiation effect than both comparison sampleA and comparison sample B. Also, the heat-radiating member 1 of thisembodiment is constructed such that it has a thin plate shape, so thecutting process and bending process are simple, and processing can beperformed so that it can be applied to various kinds of heat-radiatingsections.

Next, the grain-diameter-selection test, coating-amount-selection test,and fixing-agent-selection test that were performed in order to selectthe tourmaline layer, which uses schorl tourmaline, for theheat-radiating member of the embodiment described above, will beexplained in detail.

1. Grain-Diameter-Selection Test

The heat-radiation effect according to grain diameter of schorltourmaline will be explained.

Heat-radiating member specimens M2 were prepared by mixing schorltourmaline powder having grain diameters 1.2 μm, 3 μm, 325 mesh, and 6μm with a fixing agent made from an acrylic volatile synthetic resincoating material at a weight ratio of 1:1 (30 g: 30 g) to create foursample coating materials, and then applying each coating material ontoone surface of a copper plate having dimensions 300 mm×200 mm×0.8 mm(vertical width×horizontal width×thickness) until the density of theschorl tourmaline was 0.05 grams per cm² (applied on one surface), tomake four heat-radiating member specimens M2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a copper plate M1 having dimensions300 mm×200 mm×0.8 mm (vertical width×horizontal width×thickness) wasplaced on a heating appliance having a thermostat, and theheat-radiating member specimen M2 was placed on top of the copper plateM1 so that the bottom edges were lined up, and so that the tourmalinelayer was on the top.

Moreover, temperature sensors S1 that were connected to atemperature-measurement device S2 were attached to a location 10 mminward from the center of the right side of the copper plate M1, and ata location 10 mm inward from the center of the top side of theheat-radiating member M2 (tourmaline layer side).

Also, the temperature setting of the electrical heating appliance D1 wasset to 50° C., and after a pre-heating time of approximately one hourhad elapsed, the temperature of the copper plate M1 and theheat-radiating member specimen M2 was measured every 15 seconds (fourelectrical heating appliances were prepared, and the temperature of thefour copper plates and heat-radiating member specimens M2 was measuredat the same time).

The test results that were obtained under the above conditions are shownin the tables below. The very bottom section on the right side of eachtable shows the average temperature of the heat-radiating memberspecimen, the average temperature of the copper plate, and the averagetemperature difference, which is calculated by subtracting the averagetemperature of the heat-radiating member specimen from the averagetemperature of the copper plate. TABLE 1 Test results for schorltourmaline having a grain diameter of 1.2 μm Copper plate Room t 1.2 um30 g temperature Temperature 44.1 47.4 26 44.1 47.7 26 44.2 47.6 26 44.347.6 26 1 44.3 47.5 26 44.5 47.8 26 44.5 47.7 26 44.5 47.4 26 2 44.447.7 26 44.4 47.8 26 44.4 47.2 26 44.3 47.1 26 3 44.3 47.1 26.1 44.346.6 26 44.2 46.6 26 44 46.8 26 4 43.8 46.4 26 43.6 46.6 26 43.5 46.5 2643.6 46.6 26 5 43.6 46.5 26 43.6 46.6 26 43.7 46.6 26 43.7 46.7 26 643.8 46.6 26 43.8 46.8 26 43.9 47 26 43.9 47.2 26 7 44 47.3 26 44.1 47.226 44.1 47.1 26 44.2 47.5 26 8 44.3 47.1 26 44.3 47.1 26 44.3 47.2 2644.3 46.9 26 9 44.3 46.9 26 44.2 46.9 26 44.1 46.7 26 44.1 46.5 26 10 4446.3 26 44.09 47.03 2.95

TABLE 2 Test results for schorl tourmaline having a grain diameter of 3μm Copper plate Room t 3 um 30 g temperature Temperature 45 49.7 25.644.9 49.6 25.7 45 49.7 25.7 45.1 49.8 25.7 1 45.1 49.7 25.7 45.2 49.525.7 45.2 49.3 25.7 45.2 49.4 25.7 2 45.2 49.4 25.7 45.2 49.3 25.7 45.149.2 25.7 45.1 49.1 25.7 3 45.1 49 25.7 45 48.9 25.7 44.9 48.9 25.7 44.948.9 25.7 4 44.9 48.9 25.7 44.8 49 25.7 44.8 49.1 25.7 44.9 49.4 25.7 544.9 49.7 25.7 44.9 50 25.7 45 50.1 25.7 45.1 50.1 25.7 6 45.1 50.4 25.745.2 50.4 25.7 45.3 50.3 25.7 45.4 50.2 25.7 7 45.4 50.1 25.7 45.4 50.125.7 45.5 50 25.7 45.6 50 25.7 8 45.6 49.8 25.7 45.5 49.8 25.7 45.5 49.825.7 45.3 49.8 25.7 9 45.2 49.8 25.7 45.1 49.5 25.7 45 49.5 25.7 44.949.5 25.7 10 44.9 49.2 45.13 49.61 4.48

TABLE 3 Test results for schorl tourmaline having a grain diameter of 6μm Copper plate Room t 6 um 30 g temperature Temperature 43.5 48.2 26.143.4 48.2 26 43.5 48.3 26 43.5 48.7 26 1 43.4 48.7 26 43.5 49.1 26 43.749.2 26 43.7 49.2 26 2 43.7 49.1 26 43.8 49 26 43.8 49.1 26 43.7 49 26 343.6 49.3 26 43.7 48.9 26 43.7 48.8 26 43.7 48.7 26 4 43.6 48.6 26 43.648.6 26 43.3 48.2 26 43.3 47.9 26 5 43.3 47.7 26 43.3 47.9 26 43.4 48.126 43.4 47.8 26 6 43.4 47.9 26 43.3 48.4 26 43.2 48.6 26 43.3 48.7 26 743.3 48.9 26 43.5 49.2 26 43.6 49 26 43.6 49.1 26 8 43.6 49.4 26 43.649.6 26 43.7 49.4 26 43.9 49.4 26 9 43.8 49.6 26 43.8 49.5 26 43.8 49.426 43.8 49.1 26 10 43.8 49.4 26 43.56 48.80 5.24

TABLE 4 Test results for schorl tourmaline having a grain diameter of325 mesh Copper plate Room t 325 mesh temperature Temperature 45.2 4926.2 45.2 48.7 26.2 45.1 48.8 26.2 45 48.6 26.2 1 45 48.8 26.2 44.9 49.126.3 45 49.2 26.3 45.1 49.5 26.3 2 45.1 49.6 26.3 45.1 49.8 26.4 45.2 5026.4 45.3 50.3 26.4 3 45.3 50.3 26.4 45.3 50.4 26.4 45.3 50.4 26.4 45.450.6 26.4 4 45.4 50.5 26.4 45.6 50.5 26.4 45.7 50.2 26.4 45.8 50.2 26.45 45.8 50 26.4 45.8 49.9 26.3 45.8 49.9 26.4 45.7 49.8 26.4 6 45.7 49.826.4 45.7 49.8 26.4 45.6 49.8 26.4 45.4 49.6 26.4 7 45.2 49.4 26.4 45.149.3 26.4 45.7 49.4 26.4 45 49.3 26.4 8 44.9 49.4 26.4 45 49.6 26.4 45.149.8 26.3 45.2 49.9 26.3 9 45.2 49.8 26.3 45.3 49.7 26.3 45.3 49.7 26.345.4 49.9 26.3 10 45.4 50 26.3 45.32 49.71 4.39

From the above it can be seen that the test results obtained showed thata heat-radiating member specimen having schorl tourmaline with a graindiameter of 6 μm had the highest average temperature difference, 5.24°C., after 10 minutes, followed by 4.48° C. for a grain diameter of 3 μm,4.39° C. for a grain diameter of 325 mesh, and 2.95° C. for a graindiameter of 1.2 μm. From this it is found that the obtainedheat-radiation effect peaked when the grain diameter of the schorltourmaline was 6 μm and began to stand out from a grain diameter ofabout 3 μm, and when the grain diameter was larger than 6 μm (325 mesh),a small decrease in the heat-radiation effect was seen. Therefore,taking into consideration that it is desired that there be a sense ofuniformity of the material (coating strength), and that the surfaceroughness (small bumps are formed, depending on the schorl tourmaline,when the liquid fixing agent dries) be decreased as much as possible,schorl tourmaline having a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μm is preferred.Particularly, schorl tourmaline having a grain diameter of 6 μm, forwhich the heat-radiation effect was greatest and for which surfaceroughness posed no practical problem, is most preferred.

2. Coating Amount Selection Test

Next, the heat-radiation effect according to the amount of schorltourmaline coating will be explained.

Heat-radiating member specimens were prepared by mixing schorltourmaline powder, having a grain diameter of 6 μm, with a fixing agent,which was made from an acrylic volatile synthetic resin coatingmaterial, at a weight ratio of 1:1 (9 g:9 g, 15 g:15 g, 30 g:30 g, 60g:60 g) to create four samples of coating material, then applying thecoating material to one surface of a copper plate (only one side) havingdimensions 300 mm×200 mm×0.8 mm (vertical width×horizontalwidth×thickness), to obtain four heat-radiating member specimens havingdifferent densities. In other words, the densities were 0.015 g, 0.025g, 0.05 g and 0.1 g per 1 cm².

As in the case of the grain-diameter-selection test, copper plates,having dimensions 300 mm×200 mm×0.8 mm (vertical width×horizontalwidth×thickness), were placed on electrical heating appliances with athermostat, and the heat-radiating member specimens were placed on topof the copper plates so that the bottom edges were lined up, and so thatthe tourmaline layer was on top.

Moreover, temperature sensors that were connected to atemperature-measurement device were attached to a location 10 mm inwardfrom the center of the right side of the copper plate, and at a location10 mm inward from the center of the top side of the heat-radiatingmember (tourmaline layer side)(see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9).

Also, the temperature setting of the electrical heating appliances wasset to 50° C., and after a pre-heating time of approximately one hourhad elapsed, the temperature of the copper plate and the heat-radiatingmember specimen was measured every 15 seconds (four electrical heatingappliances were prepared, and the temperature of the four copper platesand heat-radiating member specimens was measured at the same time).

The test results that were obtained under the above conditions are shownin the tables below. The very bottom section on the right side of eachtable shows the average temperature of the heat-radiating memberspecimen, the average temperature of the copper plate, and the averagetemperature difference, which is calculated by subtracting the averagetemperature of the heat-radiating member specimen from the averagetemperature of the copper plate. TABLE 5 Test results for a density of0.015 g per cm² Copper plate Room t 6 um 9 g temperature Temperature45.1 48.6 26.2 45.1 48.3 26.2 45.1 48 26.2 45 48.3 26.2 1 44.9 48.3 26.245 48.2 26.3 45.1 47.9 26.3 45.2 47.8 26.3 2 45.1 47.6 26.3 44.8 47.626.3 44.8 47.6 26.3 44.7 47.5 26.3 3 44.5 47.2 26.3 45 48.4 26.3 44.347.2 26.3 44.1 47.4 26.3 4 44.2 47.7 26.3 44.3 47.9 26.3 44.5 47.8 26.344.8 48.1 26.3 5 44.7 48.3 26.3 44.8 48.5 26.3 44.8 48.6 26.3 44.8 48.926.3 6 44.8 49.1 26.3 45.1 49.1 26.3 45.5 49.1 26.3 45.5 49.1 26.3 745.5 49 26.3 45.6 49.2 26.3 45.6 48.7 26.3 45.7 48.5 26.3 8 45.6 48.426.3 45.4 48.5 26.3 45.5 48.5 26.3 45.5 48.1 26.3 9 45.3 47.8 26.3 4547.8 26.3 45 47.6 26.3 44.9 47.5 26.3 10 44.9 47.6 26.3 45.00 48.18 3.18

TABLE 6 Test results for a density of 0.025 g per cm² Copper plate Roomt 6 um 15 g temperature Temperature 45.2 48 26.2 45.3 48 26.2 45.3 48.126.3 45.3 48.2 26.3 1 45.3 48.5 26.3 45.1 48.4 26.3 45 48.5 26.3 45 48.626.3 2 45 48.3 26.3 45.1 48.4 26.3 45.1 48.3 26.3 45.2 48.3 26.3 3 45.248.4 26.3 45.2 48.4 26.3 45.1 48.3 26.5 45.1 48 26.5 4 44.8 47.8 26.544.7 47.5 26.5 44.6 47.5 26.5 44.6 47.4 26.5 5 44.5 47.5 26.5 44.4 47.626.5 44.1 47.9 26.5 44.1 48.1 26.5 6 44.3 48.1 26.5 44.5 47.8 26.5 44.848.3 26.5 45 48.5 26.5 7 44.9 48.9 26.5 45.2 48.6 26.5 45.1 48.5 26.5 4548.8 26.5 8 45 48.7 26.5 45.2 48.7 26.5 45.1 48.6 26.5 45 48.6 26.5 945.1 48.6 26.5 45.2 48.3 26.5 44.9 48.4 26.5 44.8 48.2 26.5 10 44.8 4826.5 44.93 48.23415 3.30

TABLE 7 Test results for a density of 0.05 g per cm² Copper plate Room t6 um 30 g temperature Temperature 45.2 49 26.2 45.2 48.7 26.2 45.1 48.826.2 45 48.6 26.2 1 45 48.8 26.2 44.9 49.1 26.3 45 49.2 26.3 45.1 49.526.3 2 45.1 49.6 26.3 45.1 49.8 26.4 45.2 50 26.4 45.3 50.3 26.4 3 45.350.3 26.4 45.3 50.4 26.4 45.3 50.4 26.4 45.4 50.6 26.4 4 45.4 50.5 26.445.6 50.5 26.4 45.7 50.2 26.4 45.8 50.2 26.4 5 45.8 50 26.4 45.8 49.926.3 45.8 49.9 26.4 45.7 49.8 26.4 6 45.7 49.8 26.4 45.7 49.8 26.4 45.649.8 26.4 45.4 49.6 26.4 7 45.2 49.4 26.4 45.1 49.3 26.4 45.7 49.4 26.445 49.3 26.4 8 44.9 49.4 26.4 45 49.6 26.4 45.1 49.8 26.3 45.2 49.9 26.39 45.2 49.8 26.3 45.3 49.7 26.3 45.3 49.7 26.3 45.4 49.9 26.3 10 45.4 5026.3 45.32 49.71 4.39

TABLE 8 Test results for a density of 0.1 g per cm² Copper plate Room t6 um 60 g temperature Temperature 45.2 48 26 45.3 48.2 26 45.2 48.5 2645.4 48.6 26 1 45.5 48.8 26 45.4 48.9 26 45.5 49 26.1 45.5 49.1 26.1 245.6 49.2 26.1 45.6 49.4 26.1 46 49.4 26.1 45.8 49.3 26.1 3 45.9 49.326.1 45.9 48.8 26.1 45.5 48.8 26.1 45.5 48.6 26.1 4 45.6 48.2 26.1 45.648.4 26.2 45.7 48.6 26.2 46 48.6 26.2 5 46 48.5 26.2 45.9 48.4 26.2 45.948.5 26.2 46.2 48.7 26.2 6 46.2 49.1 26.2 46.4 49.1 26.2 46.1 49.5 26.246.2 49.6 26.2 7 46.4 50 26.2 46.4 50 26.2 46.5 49.9 26.2 46.5 50.1 26.28 46.4 50.2 26.2 46.4 50.3 26.2 46.5 50.2 26.2 46.6 49.9 26.2 9 46.6 5026.2 46.7 49.9 26.2 46.7 49.9 26.3 46.6 50 26.2 10 46.9 49.7 46.00 49.203.20

From the above, it can be see that the heat-radiation effect was thegreatest for schorl tourmaline having a density of 0.05 g per cm²(temperature difference of 4.39° C.), followed by a density of 0.025 gper cm² (temperature difference of 3.3° C.), density of 0.1 g per cm²(temperature difference of 3.20° C.) and a density of 0.015 g per cm²(temperature difference of 3.18° C.). Therefore, it was found that aschorl tourmaline density between 0.05 to 0.025 g per cm² was economicaland had high heat radiation.

3. Fixing Agent Selection Test

Next, the heat-radiation effect according the fixing agent will beexplained.

Heat-radiating member specimens were prepared by mixing schorltourmaline powder, having a grain diameter of 6 μm, with three kinds offixing agents, acrylic volatile synthetic resin coating material,water-based emulsion type coating material, and two-component epoxy typecoating material, at a weight ratio of 1:1 (30 g:30 g) to create threesamples of coating material, then applying the coating material to onesurface (completely covering the one surface) of a copper plate havingdimensions 300 mm×200 mm×0.8 mm (vertical width×horizontalwidth×thickness) so that the density of schorl tourmaline became 0.05 gper cm², to obtain three heat-radiating member specimens.

Also, as in the grain-diameter-selection test, copper plate, havingdimensions 200 mm×300 mm×0.8 mm (vertical width×horizontalwidth×thickness), was placed on an electrical heating appliance with athermostat, and the heat-radiating member specimen was placed on top ofthe copper plate so that the bottom edges lined up and so that thetourmaline layer was on the top (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9).

Moreover, temperature sensors that were connected to atemperature-measurement device were attached to a location 10 mm inwardfrom the center of the right side of the copper plate, and at a location10 mm inward from the center of the top side of the heat-radiatingmember (tourmaline layer side).

Also, the temperature setting of the electrical heating appliance wasset to 50° C., and after a pre-heating time of approximately one hourhad elapsed, the temperature of the copper plate and the heat-radiatingmember specimen were measured every 15 seconds (three electrical heatingappliances were prepared, and the temperature of the three copper platesand heat-radiating member specimens were measured at the same time).

The test results that were obtained under the above conditions are shownin the tables below. The very bottom section on the right side of eachtable shows the average temperature of the heat-radiating memberspecimen, the average temperature of the copper plate, and the averagetemperature difference, which was calculated by subtracting the averagetemperature of the heat-radiating member specimen from the averagetemperature of the copper plate. TABLE 9 Test results for an acrylicvolatile synthetic resin coating material Copper plate Room t Acryliccoating temperature temperature 45.2 49 26.2 45.2 48.7 26.2 45.1 48.826.2 45 48.6 26.2 1 45 48.8 26.2 44.9 49.1 26.3 45 49.2 26.3 45.1 49.526.3 2 45.1 49.6 26.3 45.1 49.8 26.4 45.2 50 26.4 45.3 50.3 26.4 3 45.350.3 26.4 45.3 50.4 26.4 45.3 50.4 26.4 45.4 50.6 26.4 4 45.4 50.5 26.445.6 50.5 26.4 45.7 50.2 26.4 45.8 50.2 26.4 5 45.8 50 26.4 45.8 49.926.3 45.8 49.9 26.4 45.7 49.8 26.4 6 45.7 49.8 26.4 45.7 49.8 26.4 45.649.8 26.4 45.4 49.6 26.4 7 45.2 49.4 26.4 45.1 49.3 26.4 45.7 49.4 26.445 49.3 26.4 8 44.9 49.4 26.4 45 49.6 26.4 45.1 49.8 26.3 45.2 49.9 26.39 45.2 49.8 26.3 45.3 49.7 26.3 45.3 49.7 26.3 45.4 49.9 26.3 10 45.4 5026.3 45.32 49.71 4.39

TABLE 10 Test results for a water-based emulsion type coating materialWater-based coating Copper plate Room t material temperature temperature44.9 48.6 26 44.8 48.6 26 44.8 48.6 26 44.9 48.9 26 1 45 49.2 26 45.149.3 26 45.1 49.2 26.1 45 49.4 26.1 2 45.1 49.5 26.1 45.1 49.5 26.1 45.149.2 26.4 45.1 49.3 26.1 3 45.2 49.2 26.1 45.2 49.2 26.1 45.3 49.1 26.145.4 49.1 26.1 4 45.4 49.1 26.1 45.4 48.9 26.1 45.2 48.8 26.1 45.1 48.626.1 5 45 48.3 26.1 45 48.3 26.1 45 48.3 26.1 44.9 48.3 26.1 6 44.9 48.126.1 44.9 48.4 26.1 44.8 48.5 26.1 44.8 48.8 26.1 7 44.8 49 26.1 44.949.2 26.5 45 49.2 26.1 45.1 49.3 26.1 8 45.1 49.7 26.1 45.2 49.7 26.145.2 49.7 26.1 45.2 50 26.1 9 45.4 50 26.1 45.5 49.8 26.1 45.5 50 26.145.6 50.1 26.1 10 45.7 50 26.1 45.11 49.12 4.01

TABLE 11 Test results for a two-component epoxy type coating materialCopper plate Room t Epoxy temperature temperature 45.5 50 26.3 45.4 5026.3 45.5 50 26.3 45.5 50.1 26.3 1 45.7 50.1 26.3 45.7 50 26.3 45.8 5026.3 45.8 50.3 26.4 2 46 50.3 26.3 45.9 50.1 26.3 45.9 50 26.3 45.9 50.126.4 3 45.7 49.8 26.3 45.6 49.4 26.3 45.7 49.4 26.3 45.8 49.3 26.3 445.6 49.3 26.3 45.5 49.1 26.3 45.5 48.8 26.3 45.3 48.5 26.3 5 45.3 48.526.3 45 48.7 26.3 44.9 48.8 26.3 44.9 48.4 26.5 6 44.8 48.9 26.3 44.948.9 26.3 44.9 49 26.3 44.8 49 26.3 7 44.8 49 26.3 45 49.1 26.3 45.248.8 26.3 45.1 49 26.3 8 45.1 49.2 26.3 45.2 49.2 26.3 44.9 49 26.3 44.848.6 26.3 9 44.8 48.5 26.3 44.8 48.7 26.3 44.6 48.8 26.3 44.7 48.8 26.410 44.6 48.1 26.4 45.28 49.26 3.98

From the above, it was found that an acrylic volatile synthetic resincoating material is preferred for use as a fixing agent.

In this way, from the results of the grain-diameter-selection test,coating-amount-selection test and fixing-agent-selection test it wasfound that a tourmaline layer, which is formed by mixing schorltourmaline powder, having a grain diameter of 6 μm, with a fixing agent,which is made from acrylic volatile synthetic resin coating material, ata weight ratio of 1:1 to create a coating agent (coating-agent creationstep), then applying that coating agent to a base material until thedensity of the schorl tourmaline powder becomes 0.05 grams per cm², ismost preferred.

Embodiment 2

Next, detailed applications of the heat-radiating member 1 in variousdevices will be explained. In this case, the heat-radiating member doesnot have to be formed into a thin plate shape as shown in embodiment 1,and can be formed by forming a tourmaline layer 12, as was described inembodiment 1, on a base material 11 that was formed into a desired shape(heat-radiating fin, etc.) and from a desired material (aluminum, etc.),or by mixing schorl tourmaline powder with the base material itself.

First, an example of using the heat-radiating member in theheat-exchange system of a refrigerator will be explained using FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the heat-exchange system E of a refrigerator useswell-known construction and comprises: a compressor e1, a refrigeranttank e2, cooling compartment e3, heat-radiation-function unit e4, andpiping e5 that connects these components together, so all of thesecomponents form heat-radiating members 1 on which a tourmaline layer 12is formed on base materials 11 that are formed in the respectiverequired shapes.

A refrigerator that has been constructed using heat-radiating members 1in this way has improved heat-exchanged effectiveness due to theimproved heat-radiation effect, so is extremely preferred.

Next, an example of construction in which heat-radiating members 1 areused in required locations in a computer F is explained with referenceto FIG. 4.

On the inside of a normal computer F, between the case (frame) f1,chassis f2 and all hardware f3 is treated with metal plating or thelike, or the metal material is exposed as is. However, in this state,internally generated heat is repeatedly reflected by all of thesemembers, making it difficult for the heat to escape to the outside, sothis state is near a so-called thermos state.

Therefore, by constructing each of the components like the case (frame)f1, chassis f2, hardware B such as a HDD, DVD or the like asheat-radiating members 1 having a tourmaline layer 12, it is possible toprevent the reflection of internal heat, and by consuming that internalheat, it is possible to lower the internal temperature of the computerF.

Here, heat-radiation effect was tested for two external hard disc drives(IO DATA; HAD-iE160) as the objects to be tested. One of the cases waskept as a normal HDD (untreated), and the other case was treated with atourmaline layer. When forming this tourmaline layer, schorl tourmalinepowder having a grain diameter of 6 μm was mixed with a fixing agentmade from an acrylic volatile synthetic resin coating material at aweight ratio of 1:1 (coating agent creation step) to create a coatingagent, then that coating agent was coated on top all of the surfaces ofthe case until the density of the schorl tourmaline was within the range0.05 to 0.025 g per cm², and in the test, the temperature was measuredafter specified amounts of time. The test results are shown in Table 12.TABLE 12 Temperature Comparison of External HDDs Measurement Room NormalMeasurement Room IO DATA [HAD-iE160] time temperature HDD Treated HDDtime temperature 40 minutes after the power is turned on, 11:53:00 25.936 35.9 10:10:00 25.8 and after HDD was used continuously for 10 minutes40 minutes after the power is turned on, 12:03:00 25.9 37.5 37.310:20:00 25.7 and after HDD was used continuously for 20 minutes 40minutes after the power is turned on, 12:13:00 25.8 38.7 37.9 10:30:0025.8 and after HDD was used continuously for 30 minutes 40 minutes afterthe power is turned on, 12:23:00 25.9 39.5 38.2 10:40:00 25.7 and afterHDD was used continuously for 40 minutes 40 minutes after the power isturned on, 12:33:00 25.9 40.3 38.7 10:50:00 25.8 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 50 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,12:43:00 25.8 40.4 39.4 11:00:00 25.8 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 60 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,12:53:00 24.8 40.6 39.7 11:10:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 70 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,13:03:00 25.2 40.8 40.1 11:20:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 80 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,13:13:00 25.3 41.2 40.1 11:30:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 90 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,13:23:00 25.7 41.3 40.1 11:40:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 100 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,13:33:00 25.7 41.8 40.1 11:50:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 110 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,13:43:00 25.7 41.8 40.1 11:50:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 120 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,13:53:00 25.7 41.8 40.1 11:50:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 130 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,14:03:00 25.7 41.8 40.1 11:50:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 140 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,14:13:00 25.7 42.2 40.1 11:50:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 150 minutes 40 minutes after the power is turned on,14:23:00 25.7 42.1 40.1 12:00:00 25.9 and after HDD was usedcontinuously for 160 minutes Maximum temperature 25.8 42.1 40.1 25.9Minimum temperature 24.6 31.4 31.5 25.6 Average temperature after 60minutes — 25.650 41.540 40.060 — 25.850 Remarks Power was turned Powerwas turned ON at 8:00 ON at 9:00

In this test the obtained measurement results showed that that theaverage temperature of the case of the normal HDD after 60 minutes was41.540° C., and the temperature of the case of the HDD treated with atourmaline layer was 40.060° C., thus it was possible to confirm a dropin the case temperature.

The computer F shown in FIG. 4 is a desktop computer, however, as shownin FIG. 5, the invention can be applied to a notebook computer G aswell. A typical notebook computer case (frame) g1 is made from ametallic material or a non-metallic material such as polycarbonate.Therefore, by forming the case g1 such that schorl tourmaline powder ismixed in, it is possible to disperse and consume internal heat and thusprevent a rise in internal temperature of the notebook computer G.

Normally, the chassis and frame of all parts are treated with metallicplating, or metallic members are exposed as they are. In this kind ofstate, it is difficult for internally generated heat to escape to theoutside.

In order to solve this problem, by constructing the chassis or the likeusing a heat-radiating member 1, then by promoting internal heatradiation and consuming that internal heat, it is possible to prevent anincrease in temperature inside the machine.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the housing (frame) h1 of an electricmotor H can be constructed using a heat-radiating member 1.

Also, it is possible to construct the support stand 3 on which anexisting notebook computer N is placed using a heat-radiating member 1,and, as shown in FIG. 7, in this case, the heat-radiating member 1 canbe a support stand 3 that is constructed such that it is wide enoughthat the notebook computer N can be placed on it, and bent into an Lshape, as seen from the side, so that it is at a sufficient height forthe notebook computer N to be placed at a desired angle.

By placing the notebook computer N on a support stand 3 that isconstructed in this way, the heat that is transferred from the case(frame) of the notebook computer N is transferred to the support stand3, and is efficiently radiated from this support stand 3. Therefore, itis possible to further improve the heat-radiation effect without doinganything to the existing notebook computer N.

Here, the heat-radiation effect was tested for the note computer itself,a support stand (copper plate only) that had no tourmaline layer, andthe support stand 3 on which a tourmaline layer was formed (copperplate+tourmaline layer). The tourmaline layer was formed by mixingschorl tourmaline powder having a grain diameter of 6 μm with a fixingagent made from an acrylic volatile synthetic resin coating material ata weight ratio of 1:1 (coating agent creation step) to create a coatingagent, and applying this coating agent to all surfaces so that thedensity of schorl tourmaline became about 0.025 g per cm². Also, atemperature sensor was place in the center of the bottom surface of thenotebook computer to measure the temperature. The test results are shownin Table 13. TABLE 13 Temperature measured on the bottom surface of anotebook computer Support stand Support stand No support stand (copperplate only) (with tourmaline layer) 8 hours after the power was 43.2° C.42.5° C. 39.4° C. turned ON, and after using a DVD for 60 minutes Roomtemperature 25.8° C. 25.8° C. 25.8° C. Remarks The temperature was Whenchanging from a state of no plate, still rising to an angled tourmalineplate, the temperature rose temporarily to 40° C., however, iteventually became steady at 39.4° C.

From these test results, it was found that by simply placing a notebookcomputer on a support stand 3 formed with a tourmaline layer, effectiveheat radiation became possible.

Therefore, it is possible to apply a heat-radiating member 1 to a newstructure in this way to further improve the heat-radiation effectwithout doing anything to the existing object.

Furthermore, needless to say, in addition to the computer describedabove, the invention can be applied to all kinds of devices such asbroadcast equipment, video equipment, communication equipment, routers,switches, amplifiers, and the like. Also, the invention can be freelyapplied to other single devices or parts such as the heat-emitting unitof a LCD panel, light-receiving unit of a solar battery, all kinds oftransformers, electric motors, heat-radiating unit of a cooling device,coolant compressor, heat-radiating unit of an air-conditioner,automobile radiator, automobile parts, etc.

The embodiments described above are examples of the preferredembodiments of the invention, and the invention is not limited to theseand can be changed within the scope of the invention.

For example, the tourmaline layer can be formed on both surfaces of thebase material and not just the top surface or a surface that is incontact with the outside. Also, it can be formed inside the basematerial in a sandwich type construction. Moreover, the material of thebase material is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the shape is notparticularly limited to a thin plate shape or bar shape. Also, thetourmaline layer can be colored.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

With this invention, a coating agent, which is made by mixing schorltourmaline having a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μm with a liquid-formfixing agent, is applied to the surface of a base material made from ametal such as copper, aluminum or the like having excellent thermalconductivity, and allowed to harden to form a heat-radiating memberhaving a tourmaline layer, so it is possible to obtain a heat-radiatingmember that can be manufactured very inexpensively and easily, as wellas obtain a heat-radiation effect that is much greater than that of aconventional heat-radiating member that is formed by using a blackcoating.

By applying the heat-radiating member of this invention to variousobjects such as machinery (including parts), appliances, electronicparts, and the like that must radiate heat, it is possible to improveefficiency, reduce the number of parts and simplify construction.

Particularly, by constructing the heat-exchange system of a coolingapparatus by using the heat-radiating member of this invention, it ispossible to lower the temperature of the cooling apparatus and provide avery suitable cooling apparatus by improving the heat-radiation effect(improving heat exchange).

1. A heat-radiating member comprising a tourmaline layer that is formedby mixing schorl tourmaline powder having a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μmwith a liquid-form fixing agent to form a coating agent, and thenapplying said coating agent to the surface of a base material, which ismade from a metal such as copper, aluminum or the like having excellentheat conductivity, until the density of said schorl tourmaline powder is0.25 to 0.05 grams per cm², and allowing it to harden.
 2. Aheat-radiating member that is formed by mixing schorl tourmaline powderhaving a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μm with a base material made fromaluminum.
 3. A heat-radiating member that is formed by mixing schorltourmaline powder having a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μm with a basematerial made from plastic.
 4. A device such as heat exchanger orvarious kind of appliances wherein a heat-generating section thatgenerates heat, and/or a heat-radiating section that radiates heat isconstructed using the heat-radiating member of claim
 1. 5. Theheat-radiating member of claim 4 wherein the device constructed usingsaid heat-radiating member is a cooling device, and said heat-radiatingmember is used in the heat-exchange system of said cooling device.
 6. Acase comprising an electric device such as a computer or hard disk driveand that is constructed using the heat-radiating member of claim
 1. 7. Acomputer support stand on which a notebook computer is placed and thatis formed into an L shape as seen from the side and on which theheat-radiating member of claim 1 is placed.
 8. A method formanufacturing a heat-radiating member comprising: acoating-agent-creation step of creating a coating agent by mixing schorltourmaline powder having a grain diameter of 3 to 7 μm with a fixingagent; and a coating step of applying said coating agent onto thesurface of a base material, which is made of a metal such as copper,aluminum or the like having excellent heat conduction, so that thedensity of said schorl tourmaline powder becomes 0.025 to 0.05 grams percm².
 9. A method for manufacturing a heat-radiating member whereinmolten aluminum is mixed with schorl tourmaline powder, then molded andhardened into a desired shape.
 10. A method for manufacturing aheat-radiating member wherein liquid plastic is mixed with schorltourmaline powder, then molded and hardened into a desired shape.